Crochet Everyday Tote Bag | Free Crochet Pattern & Video Tutorial | VivCrochet

There is something deeply satisfying about carrying a bag you made with your own two hands. It tells a story — of yarn carefully chosen, of hours spent in a favorite chair, of a skill built stitch by stitch. The Crochet Everyday Tote Bag is exactly that kind of project. It is practical enough to bring to the farmer’s market, stylish enough to carry to brunch, and sturdy enough to hold your library books, gym clothes, or weekly groceries. Best of all, it is completely free to make using this pattern, and if you are a visual learner, a full video tutorial is available to walk you through every single step.

Whether you are a beginner who just learned to chain or an experienced crocheter looking for a satisfying weekend project, this tote bag pattern is designed to be accessible, clear, and enjoyable from start to finish. Let’s dive in.

Why You’ll Love This Everyday Tote Bag Pattern

Before we get into the materials and stitches, let’s talk about what makes this particular tote bag pattern worth your time — because there are a lot of bag patterns out there, and this one genuinely earns its place at the top of your queue.

First, it uses a simple repeating stitch pattern that creates a beautiful texture without requiring advanced technique. Once you get the rhythm going, it becomes almost meditative. Second, the finished bag is genuinely functional. It has a wide, flat base so it sits upright on its own, long comfortable handles, and enough structure to hold its shape when loaded up. Third, the design is timeless. It is not trendy in a way that will feel dated in six months — it is the kind of classic, minimalist tote that you will still be reaching for years from now.

And perhaps most importantly, it is free. No pattern purchase required. Everything you need is right here.

Materials You’ll Need

Getting your materials together before you start will make the whole process smoother. Here is what you need to gather:

Yarn: This pattern works best with a sturdy cotton yarn or a cotton-blend yarn. Cotton gives the bag body, structure, and washability, which matters a lot for an everyday carry item. Look for a medium weight yarn, also labeled as size 4 or worsted weight. You will need approximately 400 to 500 yards depending on the size you choose to make. Suggested colors are neutral tones like cream, sand, terracotta, or sage green — though truly any color you love will work beautifully.

Hook: A 5mm or 5.5mm crochet hook works well with most worsted weight cotton yarns. Check your yarn’s label for the recommended hook size and adjust accordingly. A comfortable, ergonomic hook will make a real difference over a longer project like this one.

Scissors: Any sharp pair will do.

Yarn needle: You will need this to weave in your ends neatly at the end.

Stitch markers: Optional but helpful, especially for marking the beginning of rounds when working the base.

Measuring tape: Useful for checking your gauge and finished dimensions.

Optional but nice to have: a set of bag handles if you prefer leather or acrylic handles instead of crocheted ones. These are available at most craft stores and online, and they give the finished tote a more polished, structured look.

Gauge

Gauge matters more for wearables than it does for bags, but it is still worth checking here because the dimensions of your finished tote will depend on it.

For this pattern, aim for approximately 14 single crochets and 16 rows equaling 4 inches using your chosen yarn and hook. If your gauge is off, simply adjust your hook size up or down until it matches. A looser gauge will give you a slightly larger, more relaxed bag. A tighter gauge will give you a smaller, firmer bag.

Finished Dimensions

The pattern as written produces a tote bag that measures approximately 14 inches wide, 13 inches tall (not including handles), and 4 inches deep at the base. This is a roomy, versatile size that fits everything from a laptop and notebook to a beach towel and sunscreen.

Abbreviations Used in This Pattern

If you are newer to reading crochet patterns, here is a quick reference for every abbreviation used throughout:

ch — chain
sl st — slip stitch
sc — single crochet
hdc — half double crochet
dc — double crochet
st — stitch
sts — stitches
sp — space
rep — repeat
beg — beginning
BLO — back loop only
FLO — front loop only
RS — right side
WS — wrong side
rnd — round
yo — yarn over

Pattern Notes

Read through these notes before you begin — they will save you time and confusion later.

This bag is worked in two parts: the base, which is worked flat in rounds, and the body, which is worked in joined rounds upward from the base. The handles are either crocheted directly onto the bag at the end or attached separately if you are using store-bought handles.

The stitch pattern used for the body of the bag creates a lovely, subtle ribbed texture. It is achieved by working in the back loop only for certain rows, which is easier than it sounds once you try it.

The pattern is written for one size, but notes are included at the end for how to adjust the dimensions if you want a smaller market bag or a larger beach tote.

The Pattern

Part One: The Base

The base of this tote is worked as an oval, which gives the finished bag a wide, stable bottom that allows it to stand up on its own.

Foundation: Chain 25.

Round 1: Starting in the second chain from the hook, work 1 sc in each of the next 23 chains. Work 3 sc in the last chain (this is the first corner). Now working along the opposite side of the foundation chain, work 1 sc in each of the next 22 chains. Work 2 sc in the very first chain to complete the oval. Join with a slip stitch to the first sc. You should have 50 stitches total.

Round 2: Ch 1. Work 1 sc in each of the next 23 sts. Work 3 sc in the corner stitch. Work 1 sc in each of the next 23 sts. Work 3 sc in the last corner stitch. Join with a sl st to ch 1. You now have 54 stitches.

Round 3: Ch 1. Work 1 sc in each of the next 24 sts. Work 3 sc in the corner stitch. Work 1 sc in each of the next 25 sts. Work 3 sc in the corner stitch. Join with a sl st. You now have 58 stitches.

Round 4: Ch 1. Work 1 sc in each of the next 26 sts. Work 3 sc in the corner stitch. Work 1 sc in each of the next 27 sts. Work 3 sc in the corner stitch. Join with a sl st. You now have 62 stitches.

Round 5: Ch 1. Work 1 sc in each of the next 28 sts. Work 3 sc in the corner stitch. Work 1 sc in each of the next 29 sts. Work 3 sc in the corner stitch. Join with a sl st. You now have 66 stitches.

Do not fasten off. You will now move directly into working the body of the bag.

Part Two: The Body

The body is worked in joined rounds from the top of the base upward. The stitch pattern here is a simple single crochet worked through the back loop only, which creates a beautiful horizontal ribbing effect on the finished bag.

Round 1 (transition round): Ch 1. Work 1 sc in the BLO of each stitch around. Join with a sl st to the first sc. (66 sts)

Rounds 2 through 30: Rep Round 1 for each round. This means: ch 1, work 1 sc in the BLO of each stitch around, join with a sl st to the first sc.

Continue this pattern for a total of 30 rounds. At the end of Round 30, your bag body should measure approximately 13 inches tall from the base.

If you want a shorter bag, stop at Round 24. If you want a taller bag, continue to Round 36.

Do not fasten off after Round 30. Proceed to the handle section.

Part Three: The Handles

The handles are worked directly into the top edge of the bag, which integrates them seamlessly and creates a very clean finish.

Setting up the handle placement: Count your stitches along the top edge to find the center front and center back of the bag. Mark the center front stitch and the center back stitch with stitch markers.

From the center front stitch, count 8 stitches to the right and place a marker. Count 8 stitches to the left and place a marker. These two marked stitches define the gap where the first handle will begin and end. Do the same on the center back to mark the second handle placement.

Working the handles: Starting at the right edge of the front handle opening, join your yarn. Ch 1, then work 1 sc in each of the 8 stitches up to and including the marker. Now chain 35. Skip over the 16-stitch handle gap and join with a sc to the stitch immediately following the left marker. Continue working sc in each stitch across the top of the bag until you reach the right edge of the back handle opening. Ch 35 for the second handle. Skip the 16-stitch gap and join. Continue sc across to where you started. Join with a sl st.

Reinforcing the handles: Work 1 round of sc evenly along the entire top edge, including working sc stitches along the chain loops of each handle. When you reach each chain handle, work 1 sc in each chain stitch. This creates a smooth, even surface on the handle.

Work 2 more rounds of sc across the top edge and handles in the same manner. On the final round, you may substitute slip stitches for single crochets for a neater edge if you prefer.

Fasten off and weave in all ends.

Finishing Touches

Once you have woven in your ends, take a moment to wet-block your tote. This is not strictly necessary, but it makes a noticeable difference in the drape and shape of cotton yarn projects. Simply soak the finished bag in cool water, gently press out the excess water without wringing, then lay it flat or stuff it lightly with plastic bags to hold its shape while it dries. Cotton dries relatively quickly and the results are worth the small amount of effort.

If you opted for store-bought bag handles instead of crocheted ones, this is the point where you would attach them. Position them evenly on the front and back of the bag, centered on the top edge, and use your yarn needle and a length of yarn to sew them securely in place using a whipstitch or a simple running stitch along all four edges of each handle attachment.

Tips for Success

A few things that will genuinely improve your experience with this pattern:

Use a yarn with good stitch definition. Cotton and cotton blends show off the BLO ribbing effect beautifully. Super stretchy yarns like those with a high nylon content tend to lose the crisp texture that makes this stitch pattern look so clean.

Count your stitches at the end of every round during the base section. It is much easier to catch a mistake at Row 2 than to notice it at Row 5 after you have already worked three more rounds.

If your handles feel too stretchy or flimsy once finished, go back and add one or two additional reinforcement rounds of sc along the handle chains. You can also run a length of sturdy cord or ribbon through the inside of the handle tubes for extra support.

Keep your tension consistent throughout the body. Because you are working in the back loop only for 30 rounds, any significant variation in tension will show up as an uneven stripe in the ribbing. Slow down slightly if you notice your tension creeping tighter when you are tired or distracted.

Size Variations

Small Market Bag: Start with a foundation chain of 15 instead of 25, work only 3 rounds on the base, and work 20 rounds on the body. Use a lighter weight yarn such as a DK weight for a softer, more relaxed result.

Large Beach Tote: Start with a foundation chain of 35, work 6 rounds on the base, and work 36 rounds on the body. Consider doubling your yarn (holding two strands together) for extra structure and durability. This version is especially great for carrying wet towels and sandy gear because the open stitch structure allows air to circulate.

Yarn Substitution Ideas

The pattern calls for a cotton worsted weight yarn, but there is plenty of room to experiment with substitutions.

A jute or raffia yarn will give your tote a natural, beachy look with a slightly stiffer texture. These materials are beautiful but can be a little rough on the hands during a long project, so consider mixing jute with a softer cotton-blend.

A bamboo-cotton blend offers incredible drape and a subtle sheen, making the finished bag feel a little more elevated and luxurious while still maintaining the structure you need.

Acrylic yarn is not ideal for this particular project because it tends to stretch under weight, and a heavily loaded tote bag can lose its shape over time. If acrylic is all you have on hand, look for one specifically labeled as “durable” or “washable cotton-look” for the best results.

Caring for Your Tote

Because this bag is made with cotton, it is machine washable, which is one of the best things about it as an everyday carry item. Toss it in the washing machine on a gentle or delicate cycle with cool water, then reshape it and lay it flat to dry. Avoid putting it in the dryer, as the heat can cause cotton to shrink slightly and can distort the shape of the handles.

If you used a natural fiber like jute or raffia, hand washing is the safer option.

Watch the Free Video Tutorial

If reading through a written pattern is not your preferred way to learn, the full video tutorial for this Crochet Everyday Tote Bag is available on the VivCrochet YouTube channel. The video walks through every step from the very first chain to the final woven-in end, with close-up shots of the tricky spots like the oval base corners and the handle chain attachment. Whether you are pausing every few seconds or watching straight through for inspiration, the video is designed to be a companion to this written pattern rather than a replacement for it — so feel free to use both together.

Subscribe to VivCrochet on YouTube so you never miss a new free pattern or tutorial. New projects go up regularly, covering everything from beginner-friendly dishcloths and cozy scarves to more intermediate garments and home décor pieces.

Share Your Finished Tote

One of the best parts of any free pattern is seeing all the beautiful versions that makers bring to life. When you finish your Crochet Everyday Tote Bag, please share a photo on Instagram or Pinterest and tag VivCrochet so the finished project can be featured and celebrated. Every colorway, every yarn choice, every tiny personal detail you add makes your tote uniquely yours — and that is exactly what handmade is all about.

If you have questions about the pattern as you work through it, leave a comment below. The community here is warm, knowledgeable, and genuinely happy to help a fellow crocheter work through a tricky row.

Now go gather your yarn, find your favorite hook, and get started. Your new favorite tote bag is just a few hours away.

Happy crocheting — VivCrochet